<p>Tonight I lost a fight with a bottle of Moscato d’Asti. I used a traditional, “screw it in and push down on the side handles” type of opener and the screw part magically broke off into the cork! I tried to rig up all kinds of things to get the remainder of the cork out to no avail. I wasn’t even able to push the cork the rest of the way in! I will say that I think the cork in this particular bottle is some kind of fluke, as I’ve never experienced anything like this before.</p>
<p>I once had one of those nice Houdini lever style openers and a guest of mine managed to somehow break it. I’ve seen those electronic Rabbit openers and have been intrigued, but I’ve read some not so good reviews. Suggestions?</p>
<p>I’m all ears, since I want a good one, too. When our massive lever opener croaked, DH was given a bottle opener that pumps air into the bottle and pushes the cork out, but that one has two problems (i) does not work with synthetic corks and (ii) was, as we found out, recalled for safety reasons.</p>
<p>ek’s wine key generally works well, though I’ve been known to make a wreck of corks with them. We have a non-electric rabbit which we like a lot. [Metrokane</a> Rabbit 2-pc. Silver Corkscrew Gift Pack 6005](<a href=“Google Shopping - Product not found”>Google Shopping - Product not found)</p>
<p>I don’t have one, but last weekend, H and I went to a ‘play’ in Chicago, called Dixie’s Tupperware Party. It’s about Dixie (who is really a guy dressed in drag) who has solved all her problems (finding a job out of prison so she can get her kids back) by becoming a Tupperware rep. The show was absolutely hilarious… constant laughs. She/he demonstrated several Tupperware products (some demonstrations were not exactly what Tupperware had in mind for the product), and one of them was this corkscrew. She/he made it look sooooo easy that even H and I looked at each other and thought this item might be worth purchasing. </p>
<p>And yes, after the show, Dixie goes out into the lobby by the bar area and takes orders for Tupperware, so we could have ordered it, but we didn’t want to wait in line. Still might pick one up.</p>
<p>I got one at Costco that’s very much like the brookstone one that nysmile posted. It’s fabulous, and was about $20. I hide the battery charger so I don’t look like an appliance junkie; it is a bit embarassing to have a power corkscrew.</p>
<p>They make the pocket version and a table version. Same thing, different style handle. I just bought my second Screwpull, to replace one that finally cracked the handle after 30 years of use.</p>
<p>I like the one-handed action - pull out the cork with the right and hold the bottle with the left. It has a very smooth action and it doesn’t require much strength. Mine was a gift about 15 years ago and it still works perfectly.</p>
<p>Of course, if I don’t feel like taking out the Screwpull, I revert to my old standby:</p>
<p>This is a great thread. I’m queen of getting the cork screw stuck in the cork or breaking the cork apart or doing something else stupid to it. We just have a cheap one from the grocery store. Maybe I should invest in a nicer one. Not giant wine drinkers but it’s a pain whenever I do decide to use it for cooking and such.</p>
<p>The Pampered Chef opener looks a lot like a Screwpull. We have never had a problem with our Screwpull, even with those plastic ‘corks’. When did those begin to show up?</p>
<p>I second the wine key if you can get used to opening bottles it. I’ve gotten plenty of practice with one at work, and hate using “easier” wine openers. Wine key I think is more efficient in the long run.</p>